OC Family Craft Time with Julie mack

I started a new editorial section at the magazine I work at as an art director! It’s a craft page featuring a simple tutorial of a kid’s project but there’s also a blog component and a video component. It’s sort of a side project that merges my day to day and my crafty obsessions which is pretty awesome. If you would like to watch me be awkward on video, check out our first two videos— Simple Springtime Pinwheel & Cardboard Space Rockets.

Cozy Coffee Cuffs- Merit Badge, Crazy Heart & Sleepy Cat

These are kind of addictive! They’re really easy to make, finish up quickly and have endless possibilities. I’m currently rockin’ Sleepy Cat on all my morning beverages.

California-weight cowl

Something I’ve struggled with since moving here to sunny Southern California from my beloved windy city is weather-appropriate garb. Coming from Chicago, I am addicted to lots and lots of layering. But holy moly, I overheat easily so this weather has been throwing me for a loop. Figuring out the right fabrics and balancing the garments breath is a pretty high priority for me. I miss my knitted items! Most of the things I’ve knit for myself over the years are of the toasty warm, squishy, cozy genre. I’ve been daydreaming of something I could layer with and still be comfortable temperature-wise.

I think I’ve figured it out finally! This version is a gift for a friend who is also a recent transplant to this warm climate who I thought might be missing these layering pieces just as much as me. This is done in that lovely MadelineTosh Merino light that I just bought a few weeks ago (I was excited to use it!) from the Purl Soho warehouse in Tustin. The fabric turned out nicely airy but not fluffy; it still has enough weight to give a good drape to the finished fabric. I have to knit one for myself now— thinking maybe some sort of coral color, something peppy & springy.

Made with MadelaineTosh Merino Light from Purl Soho

*my husband loves to try to get me to laugh when my automatic timer is counting down. sometimes he succeeds. Today is our third wedding anniversary. We are such lucky, lucky assholes. <3

Playing around with embroidery...

Hee— this probably looks kind of familiar, huh? I was just playing around with some felt and embroidery— I should probably youtube some tutorials and learn how to do this properly but for now, this was a fun experiment.

Doodling with craft supplies? Anyone else been doodling lately?

After living here for almost 2 years, I think I finally found my kind of LYS (local yarn store) in Orange County— huzzah!  Purl Soho has a totally awesome open-to-the-public warehouse in Tustin, CA (they also run really lovely blog called the Purl Bee). The warehouse is AMAZING! The hours are slim but worth getting over there. Shelves upon shelves of lovely soft things in a gorgeous array of color and pattern. Yarn, fabric, notions & two nice employees filling shipping orders. I loved that she asked me if I had ever been there before and then quickly explained the layout of the warehouse and left me to it! I was so nice to just sort of wander around in all the color for awhile. LOTS of colors, plenty of volume and my yarn snobbery was assuaged with their well-curated selection of fibers.

Here are my spoils of war (aka my budget):

Madeline Tosh Light

You* are for gifts. Sending the blue to my grandma who is just learning how to knit along with a cowl pattern drafted by me. I’ll figure out the cowl pattern by knitting with the silver to gift to a friend.

Manos Wool Classica

& you, my dear, are for me!

*Yes, I sometimes talk to my yarn. Whatevs.

& now for the most impractical children’s hat ever!
I had this color combo stuck in my head for awhile and felt the need to knit it out. It does actually fit on my head but it’s a tish snug for my liking so I’ll just call it a children’s hat. Made out of Merino wool, alpaca & silk. Totally suitable for children, right? Handwash, lay flat to dry. Completely practical. Ha! Not at all. ANYWAY. I started with a simple skull cap, chocolate, brown & cream (like coffee!). When I was finished with the cap, it didn’t look quite done to me so I decided to pick up a few stitches and sort of knit-sculpt to make tiny animal ears. This is the result….

The Most Impractical Children's Hat Ever

I think the next iteration will be in a far more practical yarn option.

Have you done any crafty experimenting of your own lately? Got pictures to share?

Ever wonder where the cupcakes in rottencupcakes come from? I like baking. A lot. Bit out of practice but am off to a pretty decent start with some snickerdoodles. Hopefully more deliciousness to come.

snickerdoodlin'

Bake anything yummy lately?

rottencupcakes hats for fall 2011

They’re here! Now available in the shop.

Three Daisy Cutter berets

Next Tuesday: Tonal Tuesday Returns! A new format & fresh color palettes are on the way to save the day.